Today’s Messenger will address the midterm election, which is tomorrow, November 3. The midterm election is an important component of our democratic process, occurring halfway through a president’s four-year term. They receive less attention than presidential elections, but make no mistake, its impact on the direction of government, public policy, and national stability is extensive.  Christians can have a big influence in a low turn-out year. Turnout is everything!

Midterm elections are held every four years, and include elections for

– All 435 seats in the House of Representatives
– 34 or 33 Senate seats (depending on the cycle)
– Numerous state and local offices
– Referendums and ballot initiatives

Unlike a presidential election year, the President is not on the ballot. But midterms determine Congressional control, legislative agenda, committee control, and hearing priorities.

Referendum on who is to blame:

Midterms have become a referendum based on the feelings of the people at a given point in time. Historically, the party of the sitting President tends to lose seats during midterms—an occurrence known as the “midterm penalty.” Even if inflation and affordability are due to decades of congressional deficit spending or a time lag in the changing of bad policies, the current administration is often blamed.  Christians must use wisdom to determine the difference. If people are generally happy with the direction of the country, the midterm penalty can be muted. Two key results come from the midterm election.

Control of Congress:
The midterms decide which party controls the House and Senate. This powerful control influences legislation, shapes priorities, and controls committee hearings. The Senate also confirms or denies presidential appointments for judges and cabinet members.

Legislation and Policy:
A shift in control to a party different from the administration often leads to gridlock, which can delay economic stimulus and social improvements, and hinder timely responses to urgent problems such as a public health crisis. Those in power in Congress will push their party’s policies, including spending priorities and changes in the tax code, and they can stall or oppose progress on the President’s agenda. The party in control of Congress will certainly hold hearings and push legislation on issues important to them, which may include abortion rights, transgender protections, men in women’s sports, socialism, and excessive control of energy production.

As a voter, you are in the driver’s seat. You are encouraged to view the candidates’ opinions and learn something about them and their positions at https://ivoterguide.com/ BEFORE you vote. Committed Christians should vote for candidates whose views best reflect biblical values. Speaking for myself, I also vote for candidates most likely to stop fraud, curtail spending of money we don’t have, and balance the budget in order to stop the erosion of the U.S. dollar. Tomorrow is election day, and turnout matters. So, get educated and go vote!